MANNHEIM, Germany — SHAPE’s Argentine star Francisco Gallo banged home the game-winner just after halftime Saturday morning as the Spartans downed the Mannheim Bison 1-0 in a Division II boys’ soccer game.

Gallo’s strike was all the margin SHAPE, led by Yan Luksa and Santiago Peloche, needed to keep the Spartans unbeaten. They are 4-0-1 going into their final two games of the regular season, at Vilseck (3-2) on Saturday and at home against winless Bitburg on May 15.

Despite his team’s first loss of the season, Mannheim coach Martin Goering praised his players.

“It was a good team effort,” Goering said. “They have more talent than we do, but we played them tough. I’m proud of these kids.”

In other high school boys’ games of note:

Horton’s three goals boosts Hanau against Bitburg

HANAU, Germany — Will Horton banged home goals off feeds from Marcus Fonanez, Brett Holt and Stephen Oen on Saturday to give the Hanau Panthers a 3-1 D-II victory over the Bitburg Barons.

Hanau (1-3-1) is unbeaten at home. Bitburg is 0-5 with road games remaining at Patch (0-5) and SHAPE (4-0-1).

Brussels’ Bodoni, Silos break out at Menwith Hill

MENWITH HILL, England - Alex Bodoni and Marc Silos scored three goals each Saturday as the Brussels Brigands claimed a 7-0 Division III-North mercy-rule victory over the Menwith Hill Mustangs.

Bodoni and Silos helped Brussels turn a 2-0 halftime lead into the game-ending score just 15 minutes into the final half.

Silos added an assist and Kyle Cox had a goal and an assist as Brussels (3-3) improved its III-North mark to 2-3 going into its regular-season finale next Saturday against Alconbury. Menwith Hill (0-4-1) hosts unbeaten London Central on Saturday in its final regular-season game.

Giessen nears III-South title

GIESSEN, Germany — Kevin Collins and Kevin Beisch, the latter off a feed from Rob Thomes, scored first-half goals and Giessen, sparked by 14 saves by goalkeeper Jarod Taylor, made them stand up for a 2-1 Division III-South victory Saturday over the Hohenfels Tigers.

Giessen (5-0, 4-0 III-South) has just one game against visiting Ansbach this Saturday standing between the Griffins and a perfect season in the school’s final season of competition. Giessen is scheduled to close after this school year.

Hohenfels (2-2) got an unassisted goal from Corey Coon. The Tigers close their regular season Saturday by hosting Baumholder (1-2-1).

All III-South teams will advance to the III-South Regional qualifying tournament in Giessen May 13-15.

Ramstein batters K-town

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Jonatan Munoz scored three goals and Matt Irwin had two goals and three assists Friday as the Ramstein Royals pounded the Kaiserslautern Red Raiders 8-1.

The Royals’ D-1 record improved to 4-0-1, good for 13 points and the top rung of the D-I regular-season standings. Ramstein is off next Saturday and completes its regular-season schedule May 15 at home against Würzburg.

Wiesbaden blanks ISB

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Playing its first game in over a month, Wiesbaden shut out the International School of Brussels 5-0 on Saturday to remained in contention chase for the D-I conference title.

Wiesbaden improved to 3-1, good for nine points, in the D-I race. Ramstein leads with 13, but the Warriors could surpass that total with victories in their final two games, at home against Würzburg on Saturday and at Heidelberg on May 15, and a Ramstein loss in its season finale.

Goalkeeper Dan Parker made 10 saves for Wiesbaden, which got goals from Cooper Bryant, Mark Mainu, Tavis McLendon, Lones Seiber and Pat Powers.

ISB (1-3) closes its season at Lakenheath on Saturday and at Kaiserslautern on May 15.

Lions ride gift goal

HEIDELBERG, Germany — Heidelberg needed an own-goal from Lakenheath to escape with a 3-2 victory Saturday and keep pace with Ramstein for the D-I crown.

All-Europeans Philip Soriano and Kevin Thorne scored for Heidelberg, which led 2-1 at halftime and improved its D-I record to 3-0-1 with two games to play.

Matt Twombley and Nik Groll tallied for Lakenheath, 1-4 in D-I play. The Lancers complete their regular season at home next Saturday against ISB. Heidelberg is to play at Kaiserslautern on Saturday and host Wiesbaden on May 15.

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